ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (June 11, 2026) — Rock Island Downtown Alliance hosts Second Saturdays, presented by Gas and Electric Credit Union, starting June 13 bringing more energy, activity and reasons to explore downtown alongside the QC Farmers Market.
Held on the Second Saturday of the month, June through October, this free, all-ages series turns downtown into a lively community destination with fitness classes, live music, bubble stations, giant lawn games, pop-up shops, local food and drink specials and more.
Whether you're grabbing fresh produce, meeting friends for brunch, shopping local or spending the day with family, Second Saturdays offers something new to discover each month. The Second Avenue Festival Street, Arts Alley, Green Lawn, the iconic ROCK ISLAND letters, and surrounding businesses continue to create a welcoming and vibrant gathering space for residents and visitors all season long.
“We are undergoing an exciting transformation downtown, and Second Saturdays is a chance for the community and visitors to show up together and experience what makes this place special,” said Jack Cullen, Executive Director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance.
JUNE 13 ACTIVITIES
Arts Alley, 1719 2nd Ave
- 9-10AM Yoga-Pilates Fusion with Refined Fit Lab
- 10AM-2PM Pop-Up Shops featuring Amore Creations and Flaherty's Irish Candy
Bev's Yarn Barn, 323 18th St
- 10AM-4PM June Vendor Pop-Up featuring three visiting businesses, plus double loyalty points for customers
Blue Collar Bagels, 1809 2nd Ave
- 6AM-3PM Soft opening with dining room and deck open to the public. Menu will feature a variety of bagels, fifteen specialty spreads, twelve different sandwiches, coffees, and lattes
Brick and Motor Boutique, 1629 2nd Ave
- 10AM-3PM Summer Sip and Shop
- New summer arrivals; buy one, get one free sale rack; and complimentary sweet treats and summer-themed mimosas
- Brewed Awakening Coffee Company Pop-Up, featuring specialty coffee drinks, energy drinks, and dirty sodas
Green Lawn, 1801 2nd Ave
- 9:30-11:30AM Live music by Mo Carter on the Blue Collar Bagels deck
Looney's Little Chicago, 219 17th St
- 7AM-12PM Breakfast, beverages and patio seating
Rock Island Ale House, 226 17th St
- 11AM-10PM $5 drafts and half-price cheese curds
- Enter for a chance to win a staycation at the Holiday Inn Rock Island. Drawing will take place after October 10.
Rock Island Preservation Society Pop-Up, 2nd Avenue Festival Street
- 10-11AM Walking tour of historic Downtown Rock Island starting at 2nd Ave and 19th St
- This walk will focus on 2nd Ave from 19th to 17th St. Learn more about the architecture and people who left their mark on Rock Island
Rock Island Public Library Pop-Up, 2nd Ave Festival Street
- 8AM-12PM Plant a Seed, Read this Summer
- Stop by the Rock Island Public Library table to learn about summer reading, pick up a free take-and-make craft, and find out what's happening at the library this summer
The Original Huckleberry's Great Pizza and Calzones Pop-Up, 2nd Ave Festival Street
- 8AM-12PM at the QC Farmers Market
- Breakfast pizza and other menu items featuring seasonal products from local growers
YWCA, 513 17th St
- 9AM-12PM Buy one entry, get one free at the indoor aquatic center
- Bring a friend and double the fun for the price of one. Enjoy the water slide, lazy river and splash pad, perfect for family fun.
MONTHLY PROGRAMMING
2nd Avenue Festival Street, 1800 2nd Ave
- 8AM-12PM QC Farmers Market featuring local produce, baked goods, specialty foods, flowers, artisan goods, and more
Arts Alley, 1719 2nd Ave.
- 9-10AM Yoga-Pilates Fusion with Refined Fit Lab (RSVP encouraged)
- 10AM-2PM Pop-Up Shops featuring rotating makers, artists and small businesses
Green Lawn, 1801 2nd Ave
- 8AM-12PM Giant lawn games
- 9:30-11:30AM Bubble stations by Absolute Science and live music curated by Common Chord on the Blue Collar Bagels deck
Schwiebert Riverfront Park, 101 17th St
- 8:30AM-10PM Spray fountains, playground, and public restrooms
Downtown Businesses
- Additional experiences and offerings from downtown businesses and community partners
Parking
- Free on-street parking
- Free parking in public lots
- Bike racks
See the full details, including monthly music lineup and business specials, on our website.
About the Rock Island Downtown Alliance
The Rock Island Downtown Alliance formed in 2023 as a joint effort between the public and private sectors to strengthen livability and quality of place in Downtown Rock Island. The Downtown Alliance, an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber, partners with the City of Rock Island to staff, manage, and implement Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) programs.
